Which offence is defined as behaviour that threatens or provokes violence?

• A. S3 - Affray
• B. S2 - Violent disorder
• C. S4 - Threatening behaviour
• D. S5 - Disorderly behaviour

Answer: (C)

Threatening behaviour is about actions in a public place that threaten or provoke violence toward another person. The key idea is that the offence focuses on the threat itself or behaviour likely to make a bystander fear that violence will be used, even if no violence actually occurs. This distinguishes it from other public-order offences: affray involves fighting or the threat of fighting by one person in public and is aimed at bystanders; violent disorder requires three or more people to use or threaten unlawful violence; disorderly behaviour covers general disruptive conduct that doesn’t necessarily involve threats of violence. So, behaviour that threatens or provokes violence fits the definition of threatening behaviour.